 "Screengrab from video. PTI")
At least 20 people are feared dead after a private sleeper bus caught on fire on its way to Bengaluru in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early on Friday.
One Kaveri Travels was operating the bus and was carrying 40 passengers. It started its journey from Hyderabad at midnight and was near Kurnool’s Ulindakonda when a two-wheeler collided with the bus from behind and was dragged underneath with its fuel cap open, triggering a fire that engulfed the entire vehicle.
About 12 passengers managed to escape before the fire spread rapidly, but several others were trapped and unable to get out in time. Eleven injured passengers were quickly taken to Kurnool District Hospital for treatment.
Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen told PTI, “About 19 passengers, two children and two drivers survived the mishap.” The bus door was jammed due to a short circuit, making escape difficult. The police said that most of the survivors were aged between most survivors were aged between 25 and 35 years.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“More than 40 passengers were in the bus at that time. As of now, we don’t know the exact number of deaths, but it may be around 28 to 30," Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Mandipalli Ram Prasad Reddy told News18.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the tragic incident, saying, “The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is deeply unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
Control rooms created
The District Collector of Kurnool has announced the setting up of control rooms to provide assistance and support to the people affected by the accident.
The contact numbers are as follows:
- Collectorate Control Room: 08518-277305
- Kurnool Government General Hospital Control Room: 9121101059
- Accident Spot Control Room: 9121101061
- Kurnool Police Office Control Room: 9121101075
- Kurnool Government General Hospital Help Desk: 9494609814, 9052951010
PM Modi reacts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the accident, saying, “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The PMO has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.